Boreholes drilled deep into the substrate under the heart of Wellington City are revealing ancient geological secrets. Engineers taking core samples more than 100 metres below the surface to ensure new buildings are earthquake resilient, have unearthed a treasure trove of information dating back past the last great ice age. Using technology that fired lasers through a microscopic piece of glass (silica) taken from the samples, Dr Jenni Hopkins​ compared its chemical composition to other samples taken from around the country. SUPPLIED A map showing how much of central Wellington is built on land reclaimed in the 19th Century and early 20th Century. SUPPLIED The ENGEO cores were taken at a construction site in central Wellington between Featherston St and Customhouse Quay.

Source: Stuff April 23, 2021 16:52 UTC